Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25015475›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2014

Chronic condition comorbidity and multidrug therapy in general practice populations: a cross-sectional linkage study.

Eyitope R Roberts, Daniel Green, Umesh T Kadam

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Eyitope R RobertsDepartment of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Daniel GreenArthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK.
Umesh T KadamHealth Services Research Unit, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe study investigated (1) the association between comorbidity and multidrug prescribing compared with the index condition, and (2) the association between vascular comorbidity and non-vascular condition key drug prescribing.

designCross-sectional study linking anonymised computer consultations with prescription records for a 2-year time period.

setting11 general practices in North Staffordshire, England.

participantsStudy groups aged 40 years and over (N=12 875). Within six conditions, comorbid group with the other five conditions was compared with an 'alone' group without them. Additionally, how the 'vascular' (one of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease) comorbidity influenced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoarthritis (OA) or depression drug prescribing was investigated. OUTCOME MEASURES: Based on the British National Formulary, five main drug chapters constituted a measure of drug counts, with low count as 2 or less and high multidrug count as 3 or more. Key drugs prescribed for COPD, OA and depression were derived from guidelines.

resultsThe adjusted associations between the comorbid groups and higher multidrug count compared with their respective 'alone' group were: odds ratio (OR) 7.1 (95% CI 5.6 to 9.0) for depression, OR 5.4 (95% CI 4.6 to 6.3) for cardiovascular disease, OR 3.7 (95% CI 2.8 to 5.0) for cerebrovascular disease, OR 3.6 (95% CI 3.1 to 4.3) for OA, OR 3.5 (95% CI 3.0 to 4.2) for diabetes and OR 3.2 (95% CI 2.6 to 4.0) for COPD. In COPD, vascular comorbidity was associated with a significant reduction in key COPD drug treatments (adjusted OR 0.6 (95% CI 0.4 to 0.8). In depression, vascular comorbidity was associated with a reduction in key depression drug treatments (OR 0.6 (95% CI 0.4 to 0.7)).

conclusionsOur findings show that multidrug prescribing for different body systems is higher with comorbidity and may be associated with lower likelihood of prescribing for specific conditions. Further research is required on whether multidrug prescribing influences the outcomes of care for chronic conditions.

Indexed as

General PracticePolypharmacyAdultAgedAged, 80 and overChronic DiseaseCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionFemaleHumansMaleMedical Record LinkageMiddle AgedOsteoarthritisPulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveVascular DiseasesCARDIOLOGYEPIDEMIOLOGYMENTAL HEALTHRESPIRATORY MEDICINE (see Thoracic Medicine)RHEUMATOLOGYTHERAPEUTICS

Identifiers

PMID25015475
PMCPMC4120330

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